The Chesapeake vs. the Shannon, in a London newspaper...

Item # 704972

July 10, 1813

THE LONDON GAZETTE, England, July 10, 1813

* HMS Shannon defeats USS Chesapeake
* Captain James Lawrence killed
* 1st "Don't Give up the Ship !" fame

The entire front page has fine content on the historic naval battle between the Chesapeake & Shannon.
It begins with a letter that begins: "It is with the greatest pleasure I transmit you a letter I have just received from Captain Broke, of His Majesty's ship Shannon, detailing a most brilliant achievement in the capture of the United States' frigate Chesapeake in fifteen minutes..." with more.
This is followed by that actual letter, datelined: "Shannon, Halifax, June 6, 1813" which carries over to take half of page 2, followed by the "List of Killed on board His Majesty's ship Shannon". The letter offers considerable detail on the historic battle & is signed in type at its conclusion: P. B V. Broke.
Wonderful to have this British victory in a London newspaper.
Complete in 26 pages, 7 1/2 by 11 3/4 inches, red ink tax stamp on the front page, great condition.

AI notes: The Chesapeake vs. Shannon was a brief naval battle on June 1, 1813, during the War of 1812, where the British frigate HMS Shannon, commanded by Captain Philip Broke, defeated the American frigate USS Chesapeake under Captain James Lawrence near Boston Harbor. Despite the Chesapeake’s larger size and armament, the Shannon’s well-trained crew quickly overpowered it in about 15 minutes. Captain Lawrence was mortally wounded and famously urged, “Don’t give up the ship!” before dying, a phrase that became a lasting American naval motto. The battle boosted British morale and remains a notable example of discipline and leadership at sea.